Siswono and MPR<\/p>\n
From Merdeka<\/p>\n
Not all cabinet ministers are like Minister of Transmigration
\nSiswono Yudohusodo who had the pluck to speak of the limitation
\nof a president's term in office in the post-Soeharto era. The
\nArmed Forces commander immediately reacted: "It is still within
\nthe norms of courtesy, because the minister spoke of the post-
\nSoeharto era."<\/p>\n
Imagine if the statement is made when Indonesia's third
\npresident takes office. The commander may consider it a lack of
\ncourtesy and the person making the statement may be in for a hard
\ntime.<\/p>\n
It is now the right time for the next People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR) to issue a decree on a presidential term limit. If
\nit is not done now, we will have to wait at least 35 years for a
\nsimilar opportunity, i.e. in 2033. This is assuming that
\nPresident Soeharto will reign for another five years and the next
\npresident will be in power until the limit of his physical
\nstrength, i.e. in 30 years' time.<\/p>\n
Realistically speaking we are all aware that at the time when
\nthe 1945 Constitution was drafted, nobody imagined a
\nglobalization era, including the unrelenting war of the free-
\ntrade market. During inevitable globalization our nation has to
\nbecome fully mature. Immaturity may be tantamount to eternal
\neconomic colonization, because our opponents in the free-trade
\nwar will not be limited to Singapore and Malaysia, but will
\ninclude giant economic forces like the U.S. and Japan.<\/p>\n
With a presidential term limit, the nation will be compelled
\nto yield many cadres of national leaders, both from the public
\nand the military, so that we will be brought to a higher and more
\nsolid plateau of maturity in facing globalization. It could not
\nbe otherwise, a presidential term limit would automatically
\neradicate nepotism. Many people are aware that nepotism is an
\nunscalable wall. Moreover, a presidential term limit would
\nautomatically correct the imbalance between the position of the
\nlegislative branch (the House of Representatives) and the
\nexecutive branch (the central government).<\/p>\n
If in the future MPR determines that two consecutive
\npresidential terms are enough, it will not go against the 1945
\nConstitution, because the constitution of every country can still
\nbe amended in-line with the era's dynamics. Besides, ten years in
\noffice is enough time to perform executive functions. As an
\ninsignificant member of the community I can only place my hopes
\nin MPR. The fate of our descendants will be determined now.<\/p>\n
In conclusion, hats off to Minister Siswono Yudohusodo. If he
\nhad not made the statement on the presidential term limit, I
\nwould have been afraid to write this letter.<\/p>\n
THOMAS P.T.<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/siswono-and-mpr-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }